*Kilmaley goalkeeper, Bryan O’Loughlin. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
SIXMILEBRIDGE’S BRIAN CULBERT is to coach the Kilmaley senior hurlers next year.
Culbert will be hoping to utilise his experience in coaching teams to glory in the Canon Hamilton when he links up with Kilmaley.
As coach to the John O’Meara managed Bridge side, they claimed three county titles in 2013, 2015 and 2017.
He also has inter-county experience, having been coach of the Kerry senior and U20 hurlers and in 2021 was manager of Offaly side Coolderry who reached their county senior final, losing out to St Rynagh’s in the decider. He has also been involved with the Freshers hurling team at TUS and was recently reappointed as manager of Sixmilebridge’s U21 hurling team.
A winner of a Munster club medal in 2000, Culbert scored 1-04 from play as Sixmilebridge defeated Mount Sion of Waterford. During his own playing career, Brian won two Harty Cup medals and an All-Ireland title with St Flannan’s College.
It will be the first time since that the club have opted for an outside coach since Gort’s Evan Kilroy was involved in 2016 and 2017.
Ex Kilmaley defender, Conor McMahon is on board as the club’s senior manager, making his first foray into adult management. He succeeds Conor Clancy with the two-time All-Ireland winner and coach Colin Lynch stepping down at the end of this year’s championship.
McMahon was corner back on the Kilmaley side which won the club’s second ever Clare SHC title in 2004 and represented the side at all levels, calling time on his lengthy career in recent years. He had previously been a member of the Clare senior hurling panel alongside his brother Diarmaid.
They will be blooding new players in 2023 with the reigning Clare Cup champions without the services of midfielder Cathal Darcy who has emigrated while other panellists are considering a move abroad.
